I have completed my credits, thrown my cap in the air, and officially earned my degree! WOOHOO! I should be excited; this is the beginning of a new chapter, a new era of my life that is on the brink of existence! Now, if only I knew what that consisted of. My friends are preparing to start their 9 to 5 jobs at corporate companies, while I am still searching to find my nitch in the “real world”. Plus, do I really want to dip my toes into those 40-50 hour weeks just yet?
How can I sell my soul before I figure out who I am as a person? Where is the “newly graduated” grace period of finding your true identity and discovering your deepest passions and desires as a human living on earth? Unfortunately no one is going to grant you time for yourself, so you just gotta do you baby. Here are a few ideas of how to get out of your shell, find your true self and experience life your own way post-college.
- Reinvent yourself- You aren’t your college self any more (thank god), so now is the perfect time to create a new you. Have you been itching to cut your hair, or go for that lavender ombre you have been lusting after on Pinterest? Pull the trigger girlfriend.Re-vamp your wardrobe. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles you admire on other people and I am giving you full permission to buy those studded Steve Madden pumps you’ve had your eye on. You will be surprised how amazing you will feel after making a few changes with your appearance. New chapter, new you.
- Rekindle old hobbies- Remember when you were in grade school and you had a list of things you loved doing? What happened to those passions of yours? I know I abandoned by love for dance and theater when I got to college. I allowed academics to take up most of my time and the remainder of the time was dedicated to my social life. But those things you once loved when you were younger made you who you were, and more importantly they brought you happiness. It’s time to tune into your inner-self and ask yourself, what would make me happy?
- Create new hobbies- If you find you don’t enjoy soccer as much as you did when you were seven, try a spin class! Today, there are endless choices for getting your heart rate and endorphins up! Join a gym with a friend and sign up for classes that spark your interest. One of my favorite ways to get exercise is going on hikes. I go with my mom and we try to go at least four times a week at the crack of dawn. It’s our time to bond but also to get outside and clear our minds before we start the day. A hobbie doesn’t have to be athletic or exercise-related, you could take a cooking or art class, start a blog, learn to play an instrument etc.
- GET OUT- Seriously. Get outside, get out of the country, go. You are at a pivotal point in your life; you are young and curious and imaginative. You have no obligations at this point in time. You are a free bird. Embrace this sweet freedom! Travelling will expand your visual horizons, broaden your mind and allow you to be spontaneous and take risks in new environments. But most importantly, it helps show you who you really are. You will come back from your excursion feeling fulfilled, confident, and ready to take on the world.
